Road working machine



Aug. 10,1943. v, H, REISSER ROAD wonxme MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 u .w MW e \w 01M mm m Q Q U m h w om m m 7 mm Q \Q N a 4 IX a m mw wli il \N N 6 i J NN z i 9 0 Na mm c Fm RN Aug. 10, 1943. v. H. REISSER ROAD WORKING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 17, 1941 Inventor Warm/1 1! P8111121" u/n flitur Iey Aug. 10, 1943. v. H. REISSER.

ROAD- WORKING MACHINE F iled Feb. 17, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor v Warm/7. Qeiaaer 1 yqw 77.

Aug. 10, 1943. v. H. REISSER ROAD WORKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 17, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 inven or- Y/emon 7/. Ream,- 59 y MO QQ 'gradentakenion the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; q

Patented Aug. 10, 1943,

UNITED. STATE This invention relates in general to road working machines, and particularly toroad Working machines of the type embodying a-powerplant and traction unit attached to or builti'ntoa vehicle which utilizes the traction wheels of such unit as the rear wheels thereof; is provided with steerable front wheels located well ahead of the front end of the power plant, and has means for adjustably mounting an implement, such as a scraper blade; in a position adjacent and pref erably below the front end of the power plant.

In order to provide for angular-- adjustment of t the bladewith reference to th path of travel,

it is customary in most road graders tosuspend the blade on what is commonly known as a circle, embodying a pair of rings, one carrying the blade or other implement and rotatably sup} ported upon theother, which is in turn suspended from the vehicle frame for vertical adjust ment; and has a draft connection to the frame which permits such adjustment. "Such a circle and draft connection is sometimes referred to as the sub-frame. I r The present invention contemplates the use of such a sub-frame so arranged that. the blade or other implement carried thereby maybefpositioned beneath the front end of the power plant, and hasas its principal object to provide for a maximum amount of elevation of the blade;

. In allrroad machines of this general type which have been available for many years past, the elevation of the blade-"is limited by'contact of the circle with the underside'of the power plant or adjacent frame. My invention provides an arrangement wherein the circledoes not contact the power plant and may, therefore',' be elevated considerably above the bottom of the power plant, the elevation being limited only'by contact: of the blade with the bottom of'the power plant. This is accomplished by forming the rear'isicl'e of the circle with a gap adapted to receive the forward end of the power plant as the circle -is elevated to a plane intersecting the power plant; Other'objects'the advantages and uses of'the invention will become more apparent a-fter reading the following specification and claims; and after consideration of the drawings forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a planviewof a road grader embcdy-f' ing the invention; l r Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the. same; 1

- tial assembly whichisenc'ased m the housing-f An operator's seat It is mounted on the housing; lZy'andza steering wheel 15 is mounted Fig. 5 is'a-detail sectional view'taken 'on'the Fig.6 is-adetail crossesect ional viewof :the grader blade showing the blade supporting struc tureas viewed from the inside of the circle; and

Fig. 7 is'a plan View of th'e rotatable member of the circle unit.

As an example'of one formjin which the in- Y vention may be embodied; I have shown in the drawings a grader comprising 'astandard tractor unit A, with the exception ofthe front'wheel and axleassernbly thereof; a main'fram'e B the rear end of which is supportedon the tractor unit A; the forward end of which is, carried by airont wheel and steering 'unit C,'and the intermediate region of whichsupports theforward end'of the tractor-unit A;..and a sub-frame and bladeaswardlytherefrom and terminatinginarear' axle and =diiferential housing l2;- and rear traction wheels [amounted on arear-axleand dilferemon a steering; shaft tB' extending forwardly The rear region of the frame 3 issupported through theupperregion of the power "plantile andcon'nected by an articulated shaft section ll'to a steering worm unit IBJzThe: rear endof of whicl'r are connected by a'crossfmember 2D and the: forwar regions of which are converged as'ati'Zl and connected at their "forward ends by Y a-bow'cap 22 on which the steering worm unit I8 is mounted. A cross member23 connects they sills l9 just aheadof the front end-of the power Dl-antlfl. c

upon the rear axle housing 12s and secured thereto asindicated at 24 in Fig.2. "Thepower .plant. I6 is suspended from the sills [9' by brack+ ets'9'. sThe' forward end of-the frame-is provid ed with a downwardly. projectingleg 25' (Figs. 2

Fig. 3 Ba plan view of the sub=frame and blade assembly; 7

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionalxview 'ofzthe.

and 3) to the lower-end of which the front ame 26 isattached,

.The front wheel unit ('l 'comprises the axlezfi H a' pairof wheels 21 steerablytconnected to the;

axle, 25,1 and conventional steering linkage-'1 28 which; is ,connected to-a steering shaftv 29=ex= adjacent arm 45.

tending downwardly from the Worm unit l8 and through the leg 25 (see Fig. 3)

The sub-frame D comprises a circle unit, in'

dicated generally at 38 in Fig. 3, and a draw-bar 3| extending forwardly therefrom and hitched at its forward end to the leg 25. The hitch comprises a U-bolt 32, the legs of which extend through the forward wall 33 of the leg 25, and

' are secured by nuts 34. An eye bolt 35 is linked to'the U-bolt 32 and has a shank '35 anchored in a socket 3l, which is secured torthe forward end of the draw-bar 3|. The legs of the U-bolt 32 straddle the steering shaft'29.

The circle unit 30 comprises a non-rotatabl ring section 38 attached to the rear end of the hitch 3| and suspended'from the frame B, and a rotatable ring section 4|, which carries the grader blade 44. The ring section 38 is formed.

welded to the flange 43, an inner arm 41, and a the ring 38 the flange 39 is notched to receive it, and the two are welded together in the area of contact. The cross-piece 58 cooperates with the struts 56 to give inherent rigidity to the ring 38 across the gap 51. This inherent rigidity is assisted in resisting thrust longitudinally of the blade 44, by a strut 91 the ends of which bear against and are secured to the brackets 45, thus tying'together the sides of the ring section 4|. The sides Of-the ring section'39 are confined between the flange 43 and the extensions 49 so that the strut 91 in effect provides a bridging connection across the gap 51, adapted to transnnit loads in both directions. 15.

The strut 91 is bracled to the central region of the ring section 4| by abrace 98,

The sub-frame and blade assembly D is suspended from the main frame B by a pair of hydraulic motors '53 each comprising a cylinder 60 and a piston 6| operating therein. The cylinders 60 aresuspendedifrom brackets 62 on the corners of an arch. li3gmounted on the sills l9;

web "which is in bearing engagement with the V underside of the, flange .48. gagement is utilized for imposing the weightof the tractor on the blade to any extent thatmay be necessary, The bearing engagement of the flange 42 on the flange 48 is utilized. foresupporting or partially supporting the weight of the blade .while the blade is being. carried in a raised position, or is beingangularly adjusted about the axis of the circle. ,r x

. The arms 41 have extensions 49in bearing engagement with the inner surface of-the' flange 39, for the purpose of :resistingthruston the bladelongitudinally thereof,-which might otherwise tendv to spring'the sides of the ring sections 39 and 4| apart;

The blade .44 is backed with abeam '58 of channel iron,."ithe forward 'flange'of which is welded to the blade. nf the beam 50 and the rear sideof'the blade 44 are a plurality of brackets 5| and 52, to which the lower ends of the arms 46 and are pivoted by means of bolts 53. Each bracketi52 is formed at its:upper end with a series of open ings 54, disposed onan arc'i'concentric'with a bolt 53, and adapted to receive a locking bolt 55 extended throu h a registering'opening in 'the The several openings 54mmvide a selective ran e of tiltable adiustmentof. the blade 44 about tbe'axis of thebolts 5:.

The ring 38 is formed with chordal struts 56 which define the side extremities of a gap 51,

adapted to receive the forward end of the power plant. In when the subframe is elevated. The ring section 4| extends through a much smaller circumferential arc than the ring section 38 to permit the desired amount of angular adjust mentof the-blade without projecting a bracket 45 into the gap 51-. The ends of the' struts 5V6 are secured, as by welding, to the inner surface of the flange 39. Across member 58'is secured at its'ends to the inner sides of the struts 56.,

The rear-end of the draw-bar 3l'is' anchored to 'this'cross-piecej Where'the draw-bar crosses 5 Welded to the upper side Such bearing enbeing attached to the brackets 62 by pivotal connections84. The pistonfil are attached to piston rods '65 the lower ends of which are pivoted at 66 to'studs 61 secured to cross-pieces 99, which in turn are secured between the flange 39 and the struts 55.- Operating fluid, such as oil from the crank case of the tractor, is admitted to the cylinders 460 below the pistons 6| through tubes 68, moving the pistonsupwardly so as tojelevate the sub-frame; or above the pistons 6| through tubes 69, moving the-pistons downwardly so as to force the blade 44 into the earth. The fluid is delivered to the tubes 68 and 69 from a valve unit 'lfl-fsupported on the arch 12. The fluid is supplied under pressure to the valve unit '10 through delivery and return lines Hand 14, from a pump 15 on the crank case 16. of the power plant ID. The valveunitflll is adapted to control the'flow of fluid from the delivery tube '13 to two sets of the tubes 68' and 69, one for each-of the hydraulic motors 59, and to selectively deliver fluid to either the tubes 88, for elevating the sub-frame, or to the tubes 69, for. depressing the subeframe. Valve levers '11 and 18 control' the flow 0f;fluid to'the respective hydraulic units; i

End :thrust against the blade is resisted .by'a stabilizer-bar 19, one end of which is pivotedat 8|lto one of 'thestruts55 and the other'end of which-is, pivoted at 8|a;.to1 a' bracket 82a, depending from the frame B. The stabilizer bar 19 maintains the sub-frame and blade assembly centered laterally of the vehicle while permitting elevation and lowering thereof.

The position of angular-adjustment of the blade about the axis of the'circle is fixed by a latch bolt 8| extending through registering openingsr82 in the flanges 42 and 40; respectively. There are a number of. the openings 82 in the flange corresponding to the desired range of blade adjustment. Anangle member SB'secured to the flange 43 and having an opening into which the bolt 8| extends, provides purchase for thelower end of the bolt when loads are being transmitted between the flanges 40 and42 through the bolt. One end ofthe'brace 98 bears against the angle member 96, holding'the latter securely inplace." At its upper end the .bolt 8| extends latching position. A' bell crank lever 81, pivoted .at88 to a bracket 89 on the draw-bar 3|, has a fork 90 which'is connected to the collar 86 in 'diiialfthr ust in the-blade agerness a"pulley 92 "attlie"forwardehd dfthe flange KB, and thence rearwardlytoan operating r'o' 9-3 i to whichit iS aFttached- The rod 93 has-a anfile .5 4 p'osi io'ned witlnn re'achfof theor'iera whee-seareatn th sear "fifi' e and tlieiea 're'gion'- -'of which comprises 'a 4 er "the ractor arne -on v'v'l iic'lisaid iiiiplement is ni'ourited or *Diiring normal -graa g pivotal adjustment, means supporting said circle inarybla'de l l0 -'for '-'ve" i'cal swinging adjustment around the "section 1H t'o the ririg s'ec on 38fthencetl rrou H 'o a plane'a'bove the fbottomfofftl'ie "the 'dfaw bai'tl to the i sine poweriflari Rsaid having ll'litsrear re pn rea is tak'en the 19) h "bolt 18 i.

eon-era er the primar i 81M3 1aid-15$" @f f the HIa-HS if-I'Whe former "l0- ets ZTp to-the e "s' ieirtijthence to u thering'se6tion 3iandthroiighihestabiliaer bar {j is to-tiie rra ne 2e. "-Phe s tri-it QT transFfer's-tliis g ecured'to t e ,the trans endered-51 e i' m q fi i since the hydraulic uiiits n'ia-y b'e otaared "d-raw liar secured alt its "reaifen d tos'aid strut individually, one end of, the blade m'ay be -el'efa't its iritefrhediate region to saidffi'xedrii ig vated while the other end remains in contact sectioi' h a ,v f Q, with the-earth. ry-movin the vehicle forward- 5. -A=roadmachirieasdefined in-claim 2, wherely or rearwardly while the blade is in this posiin said fixed ring section has a pair of parallel tion (the latch bolt 8i having been previously longitudinal struts defining the side extremities a gap in which the diependingportion offsaid lifted) the angularity of the blade may be 7 of said gap, said struts being secured at their changed while the operator remains seated at ends to said fixed ring section in chordal relation the controls. 7 thereto.

The chief advantage of the invention resides 6. A road machine as defined in claim 2, wherein the greatly increased range of vertical adin'said fixed ring section has a pair of parallel justment of the blade that is made possible by longitudinal struts defining the side extremities,

the gap 57 in the ring 38. of said gap, said: struts being secured at their a The blade elevation achieved by my invention ends to said fixed ring section in chordal relation is adequate to bring the lower edge of the blade thereto, and wherein said fixed ring section has a to the height of the front axle. If the circle chordal cross strut defining the forward extremwere continuous, only about a third as much ity of said gap, the ends of said strut being seelevation could be obtained. cured to the ring, the forward region of said subj V I claim: a frame comprising a draw-bar'secured at its rear 1. In a road machine, a power plant, a frame 40 end to said strut and at its intermediate region in the intermediate region of which said power to saidrfixed ring section. i plant is supported, means on which said frame '7. In aroad machine, a circle structure comis mounted for transportation over a road, a road I prising a rotatably fixed ring section having a working implement, a sub-frame the forward 7 vertical flange and an outwardly extending I end of which is hitched to the forward region or flange at the lower extremity thereof, a substansaid frame and the rear region of which comtially semi-circular oscillatable'ring section havprises a circle on which said implement is suping ahorizontal flange supported on said outported'forpivotal adjustment, means supporting wardly extending flange-and a flange depending said circle for vertical swinging adjustment from the outer extremity thereof, a pair of dearound the hitch axis of said sub-frame to a 6i pending implement supporting brackets secured.

plane above'the bottom of said power plant, said to the sides of said depending flange, said-brackcircle having in its rear region a gap in which ets being of inverted U-sha'pe in rear elevation, the forward end of said power plant is received including outer side arms welded to said dependwhen the circle is in said plane. ing flange, horizontal web portions in bearing 2. Ina-road machine, a power plant, a frame as engagement with the under surface ofsaid outin the intermediate region of which said power wardly extending flange, and inner side arms plant is supported, means on which said frame is formed'with upwardly projecting extensions in mounted for transportation over a road, a road bearing association with the inner surface of said working implement, a sub-frame including a vertical flange. draw-bar the forward end of which is hitched 8. In a road grader, a frame, a'sub-frame into the forward region of said frame and the rear eluding a circle section having a pair of parallel region of which comprises a circle including a spaced struts secured in chordal relation to side ring section fixed to the rear end of said drawregions thereof, cross pieces joining interme-' bar, a ring section oscillatably supported on said diate regions of said struts and side regions and fixed ring section, an implement carried by said 3 terminating at said struts so as to leave an unoscillatable ring section, and means supporting obstructed space between said struts, hoisting said fixed ring section for vertical swinging admechanism universally pivoted to said cross justment around the hitch axis of said sub-frame pieces and meansfor transmitting thrust to said to a plane above the bottom of said power plant, circle from the frame. v a said fixed ring section having in its rear region 7 9. In a road machine, a frame, forward and a gap in which the forward end of said power rear wheels on which 'said'fram'e is mounted for plant is received when the circle is in said plane. transportation over a road, apowerplant sup- 3. In a road machine, a power plant, 'a frame ported in said frame and having a forward recoinprising a pair of rails closely embracing and gion depending below the frame and disposed supporting said power plant, means supporting forwardly of the rear-wheels, a road working imling thrust. developed by said power plant and rear wheels.

10. A road machine as defined in claim- 9,.

wherein the side regions of said circle which define said gap are in close embracing relationship to the sides of said power plant.

11. In a road machine, supporting traction means, a frame projecting forwardly the'refrom, a power plant supported in said frame and having a forward region depending below the frame and disposed-forwardly of said traction means,

a road working implement, a circle on which said implement is mounted for pivotal adjustment, said circle having a gap receiving said depending forward region of the power plant, the side regions of the circle which define said gap being accommodated in the spaces lying forwardly of =said traction means, beneath said frame, and on either side of said power plant and means on which said circle is mounted for vertical adjustment to a plane above the bottom of said power plant. V p

12. In a road machine, supporting traction means, a, frame projecting forwardly therefrom, a power plant supported in said frame and having a forward region depending below the frame and disposed forwardly of said traction means, a road working implement, and a circle on which said implement is mounted for pivotal adjust- 1 ment, said circle having a gap adapted to receive said depending forward region of the power plant, the side regions of the circle whichdefine said gap being accommodated in the spaces lying forwardly of saidv traction means, beneath said frame, and on either side of said powerplant, including means on which said circle is mounted for vertical adjustment relative to said frame, from a plane below to a plane above the bottom of said power plant. 7

VERNON 7H. REIssEa 

